American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

The correct answer, which indicates that suburbanization is characterized by the establishment of developed areas outside of urban core cities, is specifically aligned with the post-war suburbanization phase. This phase, occurring after World War II, saw a significant expansion of suburban areas as a result of various factors, including increased automobile ownership, the availability of affordable housing, and the preference for living in less densely populated areas. This led to the creation of residential neighborhoods that were detached from the urban core, allowing families to benefit from a quieter environment while still being connected to city amenities.

In contrast, the first phase of suburbanization from 1860 to 1870 was more about the initial movement of populations out of crowded urban centers mainly due to industrialization, but it did not encompass the same level of systematic development and infrastructure that characterized the post-war period. The second phase between 1870 and 1940 did see continued growth in suburbs, but this growth was often sporadic and influenced by different economic and social factors that differed significantly from the post-war boom.

The urban renewal phase is primarily focused on revitalizing existing urban areas rather than expanding suburban development, which further differentiates it from the suburbanization phases. This highlights why the post-war suburbanization phase is the